Combination trash receptacle and dustpan lid



July-2, 1968' T T. P. MORGAN I COMBINATION TRASH RECEPTACLE AND DUSTPAN LID Filed Sept. 2, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Tamsflfioyma ik 24.1w )vm ATTORNEYS y' 1963 'r. P. MORGAN 3,390,804

' COMBINATION TRASH RECEPTACLE AND DUSTPAN LID Filed Sept. 2, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR July 2, 1968 'r. P. MORGAN 3,390,804

COMBINATION TRASH RECEPTACLE AND DUSTPAN LID Filed Sept. 2, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet a ATTORNEYS United States Patent a y 3,390,804 i COMBINATION TRASH RECEPTACLE AND DUSTPAN LID Thomas P. Morgan, 2007 Kearny St. NE.,

7 Washington, 'D.C. 20018 Filed Sept. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 577,027 9 Claims. (Cl. 220--32) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE T A eoiri bined cover and dustpan has a fiat wall which rests on the-open top of a collection receptacle. The flat wall has-a front straight edge portion which is removably pivoted to' the edge of the receptacle. The remaining portionof the edge of the flat wall is contoured to the edge of the receptacle but spaced slightly therefrom, and is provided with aflange which increases in height from the front to the rear. The rear portion of the flange carries a combined handle and latch. The handle extends out- -wardly and the latch extends downwardly and terminates in a'hook which coacts with'a pivoted bail carried by the receptacle to lockv the cover-in closed position.

E This invention relates generally to the class of receptacles' and is directed particularly to a new and novel combination structure embodying a receptacle for receiving =trash and the like and a lid structure for the receptacle designed for use as a dustpan. y A particular object of the present invention is to provide av receptacle structure having a removable cover or lid and/whereinsuchcover or lid is of a design or shape iadapting it to use as a dustpan when removed from its covering position over the open top of the receptacle.

. Another object of the invention is to provide a combined trash receptacle and dustpan lid for the same whereinthe lid, when functioning as a cover or closure for the .receptacle, is -securely fastened in position so that it cannot become accidentally displaced and wherein the fasten- .ingmeans for the lid is'such that it can be easily released to permit the lid to be raised to an opened position for .the introduction of trash into the receptacle or to be completely separated from or removed from its covering ;position over the receptacle for use as a dustpan.

Still another object of the invention is toprovide a combination structureof the character stated wherein the .ufnity; of the dustpan lid and receptacle is achieved by ;designing the parts in a way which embodies a completely .conrpatible shape of lid and receptacle which requires no "distortion. or deformation of either part in combining or separating the same so that the contours or shapes natural to both are retained at all times.

1 Still another object of the invention is to provide a '.'combination structure of the character described wherein the dustpan lid and a part of the receptacle structure are designed in a -.novel manner-for cooperation one with the other whereby the lid is storable completely out of ,the way on the body of the receptacle whenever the re- {ceptacle is uncovered or opened.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination structure of the character stated wherein the dustpan lid may be easily and quickly positioned to maintairi itself fully'op'en when in service solely as a cover.

3,390,804 Patented July 2, 1968 ice may not-only be hinged to opened or closed positionwith respect to the open top of the receptacle but may be easily and quickly completely separated from the top of the receptacle by shifting the lid rearwardly on the top of the receptacle when the forward part of thelid is 'freed 'by a releasable latch means from connection with the receptacle. 1 a

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel latching mechanism for securely coupling the lid to the receptacle body and which latching mechanism is readily actuated for effecting such release, by the use of one hand so that the lid can be hinged upwardly to opened position or completely removed as desired for use as a dustpan.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds, and the invention will be best understood from the following detailed .description of the same taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the combination structure embodying the present invention showing the dustpan lid in closed and latched-down position upon the top of the receptacle body;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top part of the combination structure showing the dustpan lid self-supported or retained in its opened position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dust pan lid alone and inverted from its position of use as a closure for the top of the receptacle body, to the position in which it is placed for use as a conventional type of dustpan;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken in a vertical plane through the center of the receptacle, substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in top plan of the combination structure as illustrated in FIG. 1 with portions of the dustpan lid or cover broken away to disclose details of construction;

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of the dustpan lid of the combination structure, in opened position and showing the bracing of the edge of the pan against the back wall of the receptacle body whereby the lid is maintained in the raised position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view corresponding to FIG. 6 but showing the dustpan lid suspended in a stored position at the back of the receptacle 'body, by the engagement of end portions of the hinge shaft or pintle in slots formed in the edge of the dustpan apron flange;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken in approximately the same plane as the line of section for FIG. 4, through the top portion only of the combination structure and illustrating the manner in which the dustpan lid is cammed forwardly in the operation of swinging the same closed from the position shown in FIG. 6 to place the latch hook in position for engagement by the latch bail whereby the lid is secured in closed position in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 generally designates the combination trash receptacle and dustpan lid structure.

The combination structure embodies the two main separable parts consisting of the receptacle body, generally designated 12 and the dustpan lid structure generally designated 14.

As will be readily seen the cross-sectional configura tion of the receptacle body 12 conforms generally with the contour or configuration of the dustpan lid structure whereby the dustpan in performing its function as a lid or cover for the open top 16 of the receptacle will closely conform to the configuration of the top so as to form a relatively tight closure.

The open top of the receptacle body is defined by the reinforced rim 18. The method of reinforcing the rim may be of any type desired but is here shown as'a rolled edge portion of the side and forward wall material of the receptacle as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 8.

The receptacle body 12 comprises the side walls 20 and the forward transversely rounded wall 22, together with the back wall 24 and the bottom wall 26.

Preferably the receptacle structure is fabricated of sheet metal or other suitable sheet material, such as a plastic material or the like, of suitable weight and strength to withstand relatively rough usage.

Preferably the side and front wall portions of the receptacle body are formed from a single sheet of material as illustrated although this part of the body may be formed in any other suitable manner. Also the open top of the receptacle has a certain length from the top of the back wall 26 to the central portion of the top edge of the front wall 22, which length is somewhat greater than the width of the top between the sides thereof, which sides are parallel as shown through a substantial extent of their length and then merge into the rounded top edge of the front wall 22 as shown. This length-to-width relationship between the front and back portions of the opening 16 and the side portions is related to the dimensions of the dustpan lid so that the dumping of material from the dustpan into the receptacle through the opening 16 is easily accomplished. In other words, the width of the dustpan lid is materially less than the length of the opening 16 from the top edge of the back wall 24 to the center of the front wall at the top edge thereof thus permitting the introduction of the dustpan lid into the opening 16 of the receptacle body.

It is also preferred that the receptacle body have a slight taper from top to bottom in the side and front wall portions thereof while the back wall 24' may be perpendicular to the floor or surface upon which the receptacle rests.

The top edge of the back wall 24 carries a sleeve 28 which forms an element of the hereinafter described separable hinge means by which the dustpan lid may be hingedly connected with the top of the receptacle body. This hinge sleeve 28 may be formed or constructed by rolling a portion of the top edge of the material of the back wall 24 in the manner illustrated particularly in FIGS. 4 and 8. However, it may be in the form of a separate tubular member secured in a suitable manner to the top edge portion of the wall 24. The invention is not limited to the specific manner in which the particular hinge sleeve is fabricated or forms a part of the hinge means as this sleeve may form a means for carrying a reinforcing rod or wire 30, which may be extended at its ends beyond the ends of the sleeve to provide or be utilized as a hinge shaft or pintle, and will be hereinafter referred to as such. This shaft or pintle 30 etxends at its ends beyond the side wall portions 20 of the receptacle as shown in FIG. and carries upon its ends the heads or buttons 32 for the purposehereinafter set forth.

The side walls 20 have mounted thereon suitable pivotally supported handles 32 for facilitating handling the receptacle while the central portion of the rounded front wall 22 has secured thereto a latch bail generally designated 34 by means of which the dustpan lid may be secured in closed position as hereinafter described, The

- 4 t details of the construction and mounting of the latch bail are hereinafter set forth.

The dustpan lid or cover for the receptacle is generally designated 14. This is a dual purpose unit as will be readily apparent since it functions in one position of attachment to the receptacle body as the cover or closure for the opening 16 and when removed from the receptacle body it is usable as a dustpan to beheld in the conventional manner of well known typesof dustpans, to receive material from a fioor or other'surface, intended to be discharged or dumped into the receptacle.

The dustpan-lid unit generally designated 14 embodies the flat'wall portion designated38. This consists of a flat sheet of metal or other suitable material which has the peripheral contour of the receptacle opening. It is, however, of greater length and width than the opening 16.

The body 38 or wall portion of the combined pan-lid has a straight transverse edge 40 which is stiifened or reinforced by having a borderingportion of the sheet of material reverted or turned back 'uponitself to form the stiffening strip or band 42.

The numerals 44 and 46 respectively designate the inner and outer sides'or faces of the sheet of material forming the portion 38 and it will be seen that the reverted or turned back band 42 extending transversely of the sheet to form the edge 40, lies upon the outer'or top side 46 of the lid structure hereinbefore generally designated by the numeral 14 in the initial description of the invention where the two main partsof the combination structure are described.

The wall 38 of the dual purpose pan and lid designated as a whole by the numeral 14 has extending along the two sides 48 and rounded end edges 50 thereof, an apron flange 52. This apron flange has the opposite side portions 54 merging with or connected by the rounded end portions 56.

The apron flange is, as is clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, of gradually increasing depth or height from the ends of the side portions 54 which are located at the ends of the cross edge 40, to a maximum depth or height at the center of the rounded end edge 50.

The wall portion 38 and the apron flange 52 are here illustrated as being formed by pressing or in any other suitable manner, from a single piece or sheet'of material. However, it is to be understood that these parts of'the unit or structure 14 may be separately fabricated and secured together by riveting, welding or the like if the structure is made of metal or if the structure is made of some other material such as heavy plastic material the parts may be joined together by suitable cementing material.

When the part 14 of the combination structure is functioning as a lid or cover, the edge 40 would be a rear or back edge as it would be disposed along or adjacent to the back wall 24. To facilitate its use in this position and to establish a hinge connecting means between the lid and the back part of the receptacle the ends of the side portions 54 of the apron flange are provided with the longitudinally directed slots 58 which receive those end portions of the hinge pintle30 which project beyond the ends of the hinge sleeve 28. As previously stated, the over-all Width of the lid 14 is greater than the outside width of the top of the receptacle so that the apron flange will straddle the top of the receptacle thus placing the ends of the side portions 54 in position to receive the ends of the pintle 30 between the side walls 20 of the receptacle body and the heads or buttons 32 on the ends of thehinge pintle 30. Thus the slots 58 coact with the hinge pintle to form a quickly separable hinge means between the receptacle cover and the body of the receptacle. Also as the length of the wall 38 from the center of the rounded portion 56 of the apron to the edge 40 is greater than the distance from the for-ward end of the opening 16 to the rear side of the sleeve 28 the wall will project-at the reinforced edge 40 beyond the sleeve 28. Thus, as the sealing cement substituted therefor.

slots 58 are of such length as to extend forwardly a slight distance beyond the hinge sleeve 28 when, the lid is in closed position, as shown in FIG. 4, it will be seen that when the lid is raised to open position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the pintle or shaft 30 will be positioned in the ends of the slots, or, in other words, the lid can drop downslightly when it reaches the vertical position so that there will be an overhang portion at the back end of the lid to bear against the back of the wall 24 whereby the lid will be propped in open position as it is illustrated in FIG. 6.

The projection or overhang of the wall portion 38 of the lid. at the transverse edge is shortenedwhen the lid is closed down to permit .the'back wall 24 of the receptacle to be placed relatively closely to a wall by camming engagement of the inner side of the apron' portion'56 against and across the bead 18 of the receptacle at the front thereof as'illustrated in FIG. 8. In this figure, the reference numeral 6.0'designates the inner surface of the portion 56 of the apron which slides over and earns against the forward side of the bead 18. ,In this operation the portion 56 of the apron moves down and into a substantially vertical position as shown. in FIG. 4 to bring a latching mechanism into a position where it can be manipulated to secure the lid closed. In this way, the forward side or front end of the lid will be secured against being raised and the back end portion of the lid will be retained in place by the engagement of the ends of the hinge pintle in the slots 58, i

The numeral 62 generally designatesa handle at the forward side of the portion 56 of the apron flange while the numeral 64 generally designates a latching means, a. portion of which is attached to the part 56 of the apron flange while the cooperating portion, herein'before referred to as the latch ball 34, is mounted upon the front side of the wall part 32 of the receptacle as previouslystated.

The handle 62 may be made of strap metal as shown and in the form or configuration shown or it may be made of other suitable material. As shown, the handle has a certain length and when secured to the outer side of the circular or rounded portion 56 of the apron flange it projects at an acute angle from the flange whereby when the dustpan is in use as a lid or cover, the handle will project forwardly and downwardly but in the use of the dustpan "as a pan for brushing up materialor for picking up material the inner side 44 of the wall 38 would be facing upwardly and the handle would project upwardly and outwardly as shown in FIG. 3. t

When the handle 62 is constructed of strap material as illustrated, it may be in the form of an elongate loop hav ing a long leg portion 66 anda short leg portion 68 with the leg portions being approximately parallel and having outer ends connected by an intermediate portion 70 Where- .by the leg portions 66 and 68 are spaced an appreciable distance apart.

The long leg portion 66 of the handle may be secured to the pan-lid unit in a suitable manner as, for example,

by extending a part or terminal section 72 across and onto the outer side 46 of the wall 38 where it may be fastened by a rivet'74 or by weldingor in any other suitable manner. t The short leg portion 68 of the handle is extended into a relatively long part 76 which forms the shank of a book 78. This part 76 forms an acute angle with the short legporti'on 68 and lies against the outer surfaceof the circular portion 56 of the 'fiange 52 and'extends beyond the free edge. of the flange as shown in FIGfIyfand is secured thereto in'any suitable manner as, for example,

by means ofa rivet, 80;orit may be welded to the flange. If the parts of the handle andthe lock or'latching means are fabricated from some material other than metal, such as suitable plastic then, of course, the rivets 74 and 80 could be used or they could have a suitable When the lid structure is in receptacle closing position as it is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, it will be seen, upon reference particularly to FIG. 4, that the central part of the rounded part 56 of the flange 52 will be spaced from the forward face of the front wall 22 of the receptacle and since the sheet metal or other material from which the structure may be formed, would be relatively flexible, it will be apparent that upon pressing upon the handle in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4, that is; by pressing downwardly upon the handle portion 56 of the flange or apron will be flexed toward the receptacle front wall whereby the bill portion of the hook 78 will be moved back toward the receptacle front wall. This change of 'position of the parts due to the flexing of the part 56 and the rearward movement of the hook is illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 4 i I I I When the receptacle lid is secured in closed'position by'the latch means, about to he particularly'described, it will be seen that upon applying downward pressure to the handle the latch means will be actuated torelease the Iid'sdthat it can-be swungor pivoted to open position as shown in FIG. 2 on the hinge. rod 30. V

The latch b'ail 34 forming part of the latching'nieans may be formed of a'suitable heavyweight wiref This'bail consists of two spaced parallel bars one of which is termed the bailbar and is designated 80 while the other one which is designated 82 is termed the bail hinge shaft.

The bail bar and hinge shaft, which are substantially parallel with one another, have their adjacent ends connected together by the bent or right angle arm 84.

The hinge shaft 82 is held in position for turning movement on its longitudinal axis, by the loop or sleeve 86 forming a part of a plate 88. The plate is' secured to the front wall 22 of the receptacle so as to support the loop or sleeve 86 in horizontal position and likewise support the hinge shaft horizontally so that the bail can swing from a latching position shown in full lines in FIG. 4, downwardly to a released position as shown in broken lines in the same figure.

When the bail is swung up into position for securing the receptacle cover or lid in place, the bar 80 will enby the fact that the upper part of the wall 22 of the receptacle is inclined but without this inclination of the wall 22 the bail of the latch means would swing downwardly as shown.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when the cover or lid structure of the receptacle is to be raised for depositing material into the receptacle the latching means can be actuated to release the cover, by the use of one hand only so that the cover can be very quickly unlatched and raised.

As hereinbefore described, when the cover is to be raised, as the handle 62 is lifted the cover will slip rearforms the rear part of the structure, will be extended somewhat so that it can come to rest or come into engagement against the rear wall 24 and the cover will be propped in open position as shown in FIG. 2.

When the cover is to be fully removed for use as a dustpan it is obvious that as soon as the latch is released and the handle is raised the entire cover can be drawn forwardly slightly to disengage the ends of the shaft- 30 from the slots 58 so that the structure can be completely removed from the top of the receptacle. By then inverting the lid structure it becomes a dustpan as shown in FIG. 3. In this position it will be seen that the handle 62 extends upwardly from the outer side of the flange 56 and the transverse edge portion 40 which was previously the back edge of the cover now becomes the forward or front edge of the dustpan so that it will lie closely against a floor or other surface to permit material to be swept into the pan upon the upwardly directed inner surface 44, the upturned apron flange 52 now serving as a means to retain the swept-up material in the pan.

When the panlid structure is to be left off of the top of the receptacle for any reason, it may be conveniently stored upon and at the back of the receptacle. For this purpose the side portions 54 of the apron flange 52 are provided in their edges with the slanting slots 86, the open ends of which are directed downwardly and rearwardly as shown in FIG. 1 when the structure is functioning as a lid for the receptacle. Accordingly, when the lid is in closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and it is desired to store it at the back of the receptacle it is only necessary to release the latching means and then draw the lid forwardly slightly to disengage the ends of the shaft 30 from the flange slots 58. By then resting the edges of the side portions 54 of the apron flange upon the ends of the shaft 30, the lid structure can be slid rearwardly and with its forward end raised slightly whereupon the ends of the shaft will ride into the slots 86 so that the lid structure will hang upon the shaft 30 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided by the present invention a new and novel combination structure in which there is a direct cooperative relationship between the dustpan element of the combination and the receptacle body whereby the dustpan element in one position of use with regard to the receptacle for-ms a secure cover for the receptacle and, in another position of use, when removed from the receptable it forms a handy or convenient pan into which material may be swept from a surface and conveniently transferred into the receptacle.

The combination structure in its novel form and association of the separable units accordingly becomes both a work-saver and a time-saver as the dustpan and trash receptacle are always where they belong, which is together and ready for use.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. A combined material collection receptacle and dustpan top, comprising a receptacle body having a front wall, side walls and a back wall, and having an open top, said open top having a certain contour, a dustpan cover member substantially conforming in contour to said certain contour and having a wall to overlie and close said open top, said pan wall having an area exceeding the area of said open top and having a peripheral edge, a portion of said edge being straight and extending across one dimension of the pan wall, a flange bordering the remaining portion of said peripheral edge, coupled separable means pivotally and removably attaching the cover at the ends of said straight edge to the top of the receptacle for pivotal turning on an axis paralleling the back wall for opening and closing the cover, said flange overlying portions of the outer sides of the front and side walls and being spaced from the front wall when the cover is closed, a combined rigid handle and latching means carried by that portion of the flange overlying the front wall of the receptacle, said handle comprising a portion rigidly clamped in face contact to said flange and a portion extending outwardly from the flange at an angle thereto, said latching means being integral with said first named '8 portion and having a hook portion extending downwardly below said flange, and a bail pivotally supported on said front wall of the receptacle in position to engage over said hook portion when the cover member is closed, whereby said latch may be swung inwardly upon applying downward pressure on the handle.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said flange has two ends each terminating at an end of said straight edge portion of the pan wall, and said coupled, separable means comprises a hinge pintle upon the back wall at each side thereof and projectinglaterally therefrom and an elongate slot in each of said flange ends in which the adjacent pintle is engaged for turning movement of the cover thereon and for sliding movement of the cover thereon for extending a substantial portion of the pan wall rearwardly beyond the receptacle back wall to function as a brace against the latter wall when the cover member is raised toopen position.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said elongate slots are open at the rear ends thereof for disengagement of the pintles therefrom for use of the cover member as a dustpan.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said cover member has a front end and a rear end, the said straight edge portion being at the said rear end, the cover member having a front-to-rear end dimension exceeding the front-to-rear dimension of the open top of the receptacle, the said flange having side portions extending to the said straight edge portion and extending beyond the receptacle back wall when the cover member is in closed position, and said means pivotally coupling the cover member to the receptacle being constructed to permit the cover to shift a certain distance rearwardly when pivoted upwardly to extend said rear edge thereof for movement into bracing engagement against the back wall of'the receptacle at a certain open position of the cover.

5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the construction of the last said means embodies elongate slots in the said flange side portions and pintles carried by the receptacle at each side of the back wall and engaged in said slots.

6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said cover member has a front end and a rear end, the said straight edge portion of the pan wall being at the said rear end, said flange having long parallel side portions extending longitudinally of the cover member at opposite sides of the latter, saidlong side portions of the flange having open end slots formed therein and extending obliquely to the length thereof and aligned transversely of the cover member, with the open ends of the slots directed toward said rear end of the covermember, said slots being formed to receive elements of said coupled, separable means for suspendingly retaining the cover member in a stored position at the back of the receptacle.

7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the said angle of said handle to the flange is an acute angle and the handle is directed downwardly when the cover member is in closed position, said flange being of a character to be flexed inwardly toward the adjacent front wall of the receptacle upon application of downward pressure to the handle when the cover member is closed, said bail having a raised operative position and a hanging inoperative position, and said hook being formed to disengage from the bail in its operative position by said inward flexing of the flange.

8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the said handle is formed of strap-like material and has a long leg and a short leg maintained in spaced substantially parallel relation by an intermediate connecting portion and said short leg is continued in an elongate part which is positioned against the adjacent face of the flange and forms a shank of the said hook and terminates in the bill of the hook.

9. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the said bail comprises a pair of spaced parallel bar mem- 9 10 bers having adjacent ends connected together by right 1,763,907 6/1930 Sommers 220-1 angle arms, one of said bars forming the hook-engaging 2,225,722 12/1940 Spieth. bail bar and the other one of said bars forming a hinge 2,415,357 2/1947 Kucki 220-38 shaft, means pivotally supporting said hinge shaft sub- 2,792,144 5/1957 Mayer 220-38X stantially horizontaly against the front side of said front 5 wall of the receptacle whereby the angles of the angled FOREIGN PATENTS arms attached thereto may be swung upwardly to an up- 70,253 3/ 1959 France. right position to dispose the bail bar in outwardly spaced 474,605 9/ 1952 Italy. relation to said receptacle front wall for engagement with 956,088 4/ 1964 Great Britain. Said hook. I References Cited THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS G. E. LOWRANCE, Assistant Examiner.

705,672 7/1902 Hughes. 

